Sierra Wireless' AirCards are PCMCIA and ExpressCard cards targeted to cellular network providers, who in turn offer them to their customers allowing those customers to access the data capabilities of their wireless, cellular networks. I.E., using an AirCard, a user can connect their PCMCIA or ExpressCard port equipped laptops or other devices to the Internet through the provider's cellular network service. Providers, therefore, typically provide these cards as a part of their wireless Internet access service packages.

The AirCards themselves are offered in several flavors, supporting multiple networking topologies from GSM/GPRS through HSDPA/HSUPA in a PCMCIA Type II Card or ExpressCard form factor. Windows 2000/XP/Vista and Mac OS X are supported (Mac OS X via software or natively).

Features common to all cards include the vendor's Watcher Software, which provides configuration and monitoring capabilities (the provider may include their own software); SMS messaging capabilities; an SDK for developers; and an optional external antenna. Additionally, the vendor notes the cards are compatible with all major instant messaging, E-mail, PIM, and VPN applications.

Current AirCards offered by Sierra Wireless include:

- The 880/881, a tri-band UMTS (850/1900/2100 MHz) and quad-band GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) card with support for up to 2 Mb/sec uploads and 7.2 Mb/sec downloads (typical speeds are listed in the 500 Kb/sec to 1.4 Mb/sec range for both directions). The 880 is optimized for use in Europe and Asia while the 881 is optimized for use in North America. The 880/881 are PC Cards; the vendor also offers the card in ExpressCard formats (880E/881E).

- The new 501/502 are ExpressCards with tri band HSPA (850/1900/2100 in the 501, and 900/1900/2100 in the 502 for Europe) support and communication speeds listed at an eventual 5.76 Mb/sec upload and 7.2 Mb/sec download (the 5.76 Mb/sec upload speed will require a firmware upgrade that the vendor's site states will be available in March of 2009; until then the maximum upload speed is 2.0 Mb/sec). Typical download speeds are listed at 1 - 3 Mb/sec, while typical upload speeds are in the 800 Kb/sec to 2.0 Mb/sec range. Both cards are listed as backward compatible with UMTS, EDGE and GSM networks.

The 880/881 models are available now; the 501/502 are expected to be available in late December and Q1/2009, respectively.

Visit the Sierra Wireless Web site for further information.